Pipe-wrench.



' N0. 698,765. Patented Apr. 29, |902..

A. UNDERWDZ f PIPE WRENCH.

4 (Applicatn led Feb 3, 1902) (HD Modl.)

Unire Srnfrns PATENTv rrrcn ALFRED UNDERWOOD, OF OIL CI'IY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO OIL VELL SUPPLY COMPANY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPO- RATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

PIPE-WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 698,765, dated April 29, 1902.

` Application flied February 3, 1902. serial No. 92,369. or@ modem To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED UNDERWooD,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Oil City,in the county of Venango, State of-Pen nsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe-Wrenches; and I hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in

teeth, or bits for engaging the pipe or rod, asv

the case may be, and has for its objects to simplify and strengthen the jaw and bit construction and to facilitate the insertion or removal of the bit when the same is to be reversed or removed forgrinding or for renewal.

Heretofore, so far as I am aware, the detachable and reversible bits or die-blocks of pipe-tongs and pipe-wrenches have been held in position on the jaw by thronghfbolts,

spring-pins, or set-screws, either with or withf out specially-formed bit-seats, the bits ordief j blocks being either perforate, indented, or otherwise specifically shaped, all of which tends to the weakening of the structure and makes against the proper seating or engagement of the bit or die-block when reduced by'Y To overcome such objections and A second feature of my invention embraces' the combinatiomwith the bit recess or pocket, of a leaf-spring keeper, detent, or tongue so arranged with relation to the bit-recess as to prevent the escape of the bit therefrom, and a clearance-slot'beneath the 'leatspring detent or keeper to prevent the `lodgment of scale, dirt, orother matter liable to clog or obstruct said springdetent. Y `f Iwill now proceed to describe my invention more fully, so that others skilled in theart to which it appertains may apply the same.

In the drawings, Aindicates the operatinglever, B one jaw pivoted thereon, and C a second jaw pivoted at one end on the jaw B and provided at its inner end with a recess c to receive the projection a on the end of the operating-lever, said jaws B and C being provided with the corresponding pipe-seats b b, all of which may be as shown or of any other known pivoted-jaw construction.

l indicates a bit or die pocket formed on the inner or grip face of the jaw C, said pocket being of the form and dimensions required for the bit or block-die, preferably rectangular, and provided with the end Wal12 and the side walls 3 3 to form abutments or supports for the bit or die-block, the pocket being en tirely or partially closed by the front wall 4, the essential of the pocket being that its form shall be 'such as to support the bit or dieblock at the outer end and laterally and permit' of its free withdrawal from the inner or openend of the pocket.

Arranged and properly secured within a recess formed in the grip-face or pipe-seat b of the jaw Cis a leaf-spring 5, the free end of which when the tongs is not in use stands immediately in front of the mouth of the bitpocket l, so as to act as a keeper or detent for the bit or die-block D.

Formed in the jaw and communicating with the seat of the leaf-spring 5, at its'inner end, is a clearance slot or openingL 6 to permit the escape of scale, dirt, orother matter liable to obstruct the free movement of the'inner end of the spring 5 or keeper.

IOO

devoid of indentations or perforations, and may be introduced or Withdrawn from the pocket by simply depressing the detent or free end of the leaf-spring 5.

When the pipe tongs or wrench is in use, the biting edge otthe bit or die-block will project suiiieiently beyond the level of the free end of the leaf-spring detent to enable it to engage thetube, pipe, or rod to be seized thereby, or, if necessaryl to the proper engagement of the bit, the free end of the leafspring 5 will recede or be pressed back bythe pipe or tube and will again advance to prevent the escape of the bit or die-block when the pipe or rod is released.

i A Among the advantages arising from my invention are the simplicity and increased strength of both bit or die-block and tongsjaw, the facility with which the bit or dieblock may be removed for grinding and replaced, the readiness with which the l bit or die-block will adapt itself to its seat on the jaw, the absence of pins, screws, or like fastenings liable to `be broken when the bit or die-block cannot properly seat itself, and the recession of the leaf-spring detent to insure at all times the proper engagement of the bit or tooth with the pipe or rod to be seized.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A pipe-tongs jaw having a bit or dieblock pocket,constructed to substantially surround the bit or die-block, and a spring-detent arranged at the mouth ot' said pocket, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. A pipe-tongs jaw yhaving a bit or dieblock pocket constructed to substantially surround the bit or die-block, and a leaf-spring detent or keeper arranged at the mouth ot said pocket, substantially as specified.

3. A pipe-tongs jaw having a bit or dieblock pocket, a leaf-spring detent or keeper arranged at the mouth of said pocket, and a clearance-slot which communicates with the seat of the leaf-spring detent, substantially as and for the purposes specied.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses, this 1st day of February, 1902.

ALFRED UNDERVOOD.

Witnesses:

J. 1I. CHICKERING, O. J. RHINE. 

